Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday said that his party intends to contest local body elections independently to bolster its foundation and clarified that they have never called for the dissolution of the opposition INDIA bloc or the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).

Raut’s comments came a day after he expressed concerns about the lack of opportunities for party workers within the alliance and emphasized the importance of organizational growth, raising questions about the unity of the opposition bloc.

Speaking to reporters, Raut stated, “The MVA was established for the Assembly elections and the INDIA bloc for the Lok Sabha elections. Local body elections are crucial for empowering party workers and fortifying the organization at the grassroots level.” He added, “Neither I nor my party have ever suggested that the INDIA bloc or the MVA should be dismantled.”

The alliances of the INDIA bloc and MVA include Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP). When asked about criticism from Congress leaders regarding his statements about going solo in the elections, Raut suggested that they should listen to his full remarks before reacting. “The Congress leaders should learn to listen to others,” he remarked.

Raut emphasized the importance of ensuring that the Shiv Sena (UBT)’s election symbol, the ‘flaming torch,’ reaches voters at the grassroots level. He mentioned that MVA allies should focus on strengthening their parties and their workers at the booth level. “We have time, as there are four-and-a-half years until the next Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly elections,” he added.

In response to questions about NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar’s discussions with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis concerning peace in Beed and Parbhani, Raut stated that Maharashtra remains shocked by the results of the assembly elections. “Peace cannot be achieved by protecting the killers of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh and Somnath Suryavanshi,” he emphasized.

The brutal murder of Santosh Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog village in Beed district on December 9, has intensifed tensions between the ruling and opposition parties, especially since one suspect in a related extortion case is a close associate of state minister Dhananjay Munde. This incident has sparked widespread protests and heightened fears of caste conflict, as Deshmukh was a Maratha and some individuals arrested belong to the Vanjari community.

Somnath Suryavanshi, who was arrested following unrest in Parbhani related to the vandalism of a replica of the Constitution, died on December 15 after being hospitalized from jail due to sudden illness.

The ruling Mahayuti alliance, consisting of the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, secured 230 out of 288 seats in the November 2024 assembly elections, significantly reducing the MVA’s representation to just 46 seats, with Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (SP) contributing 20, 16, and 10 seats respectively.

The Congress on Sunday unveiled the “Yuva Udaan Yojana,” aimed at providing educated but unemployed youth in Delhi with a monthly financial assistance of ₹8,500 for one year, should they secure power in the national capital.

During the announcement, Congress leader Sachin Pilot, who is also the former deputy chief minister of Rajasthan, emphasized that beneficiaries must demonstrate their skills in a professional setting. “We will offer financial support to youth who can showcase their abilities at a company, factory, or organization. The financial aid will be disbursed through these organizations—this is not a scheme where individuals receive funds while remaining idle at home,” he stated.

Pilot further mentioned, “Our goal is to ensure individuals are placed in fields related to their training, thereby helping them to enhance their skillset.”

This announcement follows the Congress’s previous launch of the “Pyari Didi Yojana” on January 6, which promises ₹2,500 per month if they win the election in Delhi. Additionally, on January 8, the party introduced the “Jeevan Raksha Yojana,” offering free health insurance coverage of up to ₹25 lakh.

The Congress on January 8 announced plans to introduce the ‘Jeevan Raksha Yojana’, offering free health insurance up to Rs 25 lakh if they are elected in the upcoming Delhi elections on February 5.

Ashok Gehlot, former Chief Minister of Rajasthan and a senior party figure, expressed confidence in the Congress’s prospects of forming a government in the capital, describing the proposed initiative as a potential ‘game-changer’. “The landscape in Delhi has shifted. The Congress campaign is stronger this time, and I believe the results will reflect that. Our chances of forming the government in Delhi are steadily rising,” he stated.

He elaborated that the scheme aims to provide extensive health coverage for families, encompassing medical expenses related to critical illnesses, hospitalizations, and treatments. “The health insurance program in Rajasthan has seen great success, and we will replicate that in Delhi. Our benefits are universal, unlike the limitations seen in Ayushman Bharat,” he added.

Gehlot emphasized that the ‘Jeevan Raksha Yojana’ demonstrates the Congress party’s dedication to addressing the healthcare needs of Delhi’s residents. The campaign slogan “Hogi Har Zarurat Puri, Congress Hai Zaroori” was prominently featured during the announcement, underscoring the party’s commitment to delivering essential services to all citizens.

The elections for the 70-member Delhi assembly are set for February 5, with vote counting scheduled for February 8. The Congress party has not held power in Delhi since December 2013 when it was defeated by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

In the subsequent elections, AAP secured 67 and 62 seats in 2015 and 2020, respectively, while the Bharatiya Janata Party came in a distant second on both occasions. The Congress, however, has struggled significantly, failing to win any seats in the last two elections.

Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia announced that a Passport Seva Kendra will be established in each of the 543 parliamentary constituencies across the country. This declaration was made on January 11, 2025, during the inauguration of a Passport Seva Kendra in Guna, Madhya Pradesh, the constituency he represents.

Additionally, Scindia revealed plans to open six new passport centers in Madhya Pradesh this year. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to set up a Passport Seva Kendra in every parliamentary constituency to enhance service accessibility. The Department of Posts, in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, is dedicated to bringing this initiative to fruition,” he stated.

The Minister also highlighted that approximately 6,000 post offices have been opened nationwide. He emphasized the importance of reviving the tradition of handwritten letters, which he believes convey genuine emotions.

Scindia noted the technological advancements within post office services, explaining that residents of Guna previously had to travel to Bhopal and Gwalior to obtain passports, a situation that will be alleviated by the establishment of the Passport Seva Kendra.

In December last year, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was renewed for five years between the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Department of Posts to ensure continuous access to passport services via the Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs). The MoU was signed by Manisha Bansal Badal, General Manager of the Business Development Directorate on behalf of the Department of Posts, and Dr. KJ Srinivasa, Joint Secretary (PSP & CPO) from the Ministry of External Affairs. This agreement outlines a mutual commitment to efficiently manage and support the operations of POPSKs, guaranteeing that citizens receive top-tier passport services at their local post offices.

According to official sources, the Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs), launched in 2017, have significantly contributed to providing passport services to over 1.52 crore citizens, especially in rural and underserved regions, thus increasing accessibility. The total number of operational POPSKs has risen, now standing at 442 centers across the nation.

This renewed MoU aims to reinforce the collaboration between the Ministry of External Affairs and the Department of Posts, with the goal of improving service delivery, optimizing operations, and addressing the growing demand for passport-related services.

As part of this initiative, there are plans to expand the number of Passport Seva Kendras to 600 by 2028-29, ensuring enhanced accessibility and convenience for citizens. This expansion is expected to increase the annual customer base from 3.5 million to 10 million over the next five years.

This initiative demonstrates the collaborative efforts of both ministries to enhance the citizen experience through a seamless, accessible, and efficient passport issuance process, thereby strengthening India’s postal network and making passport services more reliable and readily available to all citizens.